MELBOURNE stand-off Gareth Widdop is ready to tackle New Zealand danger man Benji Marshall if called on for England’s crunch Gillette Four Nations clash at Hull’s KC Stadium on Saturday.

The talismanic Marshall, shortlisted for international player of the year, is the Kiwi’s chief playmaker and will be the man England must contain if they are to reach the November 19 final against Australia.

Widdop has been on the bench for each of England’s three autumn matches, including their warm-up international in France, but he has been gradually gaining more game time and could start against the Kiwis if coach Steve McNamara decides to switch Kevin Sinfield to loose forward, where he finished last Saturday’s 36-20 defeat by Australia.

“I got a few more minutes than the week before and it would be good to play more but it’s whatever the coaching staff feel is right,” the 22-year-old from Halifax, who is poised to win his seventh cap, said.

“Even if it’s only for 10 minutes, it will be good to contribute.

“We haven’t spoken about it yet, it’s our first day back in.”

McNamara may delay a team announcement to give key forwards Jamie Peacock, Gareth Ellis and James Graham more time to recover from injury.

The England camp are confident the knee injury sustained by captain Peacock is not as serious as first feared following the results of scans and say both Graham and Ellis are responding to treatment on lower-back injuries.

“Ongoing investigations and intensive treatment are being carried out on the three players,” said McNamara.

“They are responding to treatment and we will get a clearer picture on their level of fitness later in the week.”